Stars clinch AFCON ticket
Goals by Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu ensured that Ghana booked a place at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals after defeating Mauritius 2-0 in their Group H away encounter at the Stade Anjalay in the small Mauritian city of Belle Vue Maurel.
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The victory saw the Black Stars win Group H after accumulating 13 points, while Mauritius remain third on the group standings.
Led by Captain Ayew, the Ghanaians dictated the pace of the game, while applying pressure on the ‘Dodos’ defence in the opening stages of the encounter.
Mauritius goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis, denied Ghana midfielder Atsu the opening goal in the 23rd minute with a great a low save. Four minutes later, full-back Harrison Afful pushed forward and he cut inside from the right, to unleash a shot which was blocked.
The home side launched a quick counter-attack in the 40th minute, but Ghana defender John Boye made an important interception at the back.
At the other end, Jean-Loius made two great saves to deny Dede Ayew a few minutes before the half-time break.
The Stars dominated in the opening stages of the second-half, as Frank Acheampong's dangerous low cross was cleared away by Stewart St-Louis in the 55th minute.
The Stars' pressure paid off in the 71st minute when Ayew received the ball inside the Dodos box from a pass by Acheampong and the Swansea star foured home to give Ghana a deserved lead.
Defender Baba Rahman pushed forward four minutes later and he played a cross for Atsu, who doubled Ghana's lead with a great finish from inside the Mauritius box.